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Topic: Now Playing - the video game edition (Read 70193 times)

Finally got around to playing, and finishing, Dark Souls (not the second one that was just released). The sense of scope in the environments is excellent.

I must admit though that I played it wrong. I cheated. But I just didn't have time to play it the way it was meant to be played. I just wanted to explore the world and see the monsters/bosses. The funny thing was, despite having unlimited health and stamina, I still died tons. That should tell you something. Hahah!

I've started with Mass Effect 3 now. I've played the others, and have kept my save games to continue the story properly. I've heard about the controversial ending, and have been very curious to see how the game finally ends.

I'm more of an ipad player these days... currently hooked on Guardian Cross... basically a collectable card game thing from Square Enix.

Just played through Monument Valley - wow - now that is spectacular... you're essentially playing MC Escher drawings - some truly beautiful moments throughout... excellent ... although really short. Still - as a game - a work of art.

Just finished Tomb Raider which was entirely above expectations. Having dismissed it a little after countless remakes and the somewhat superior antics of Nathan Drake, I loved every second of that smartly made game. The way the music changes interactively and their story telling in the level design was all in favor of game-play.

Currently playing Bioshock: Infinite. Not yet very far into ti but it's already throwing some interesting ideas and concepts around. Game-play wise it is not yet presenting anything the previous games didn't also do., which isn't necessarily bad.

Without spoiling anything, I understand why some were upset about the ending. Some things weren't explained as well as they could've been. Left open for interpretation. It also had a darker tone, which was lightened up in the redux. I can certainly appreciate the original ending, and would approve had it been a film. But when someone invests as much time in the game (across the three of them, I judge I spent nearly 100 hours), you want a good payout in the end.

Overall, an excellent experience.

I'm diving into Alan Wake now. The main game is split into six episodes, and is setup like a TV show, including a "Previous on Alan Wake . . ." intro for each episode.

I did find the Redux ending to be somewhat asinine, why does everything have to be explained? It just seemed unnecessary, I personally loved how the story was darker in tone during the 3rd game, as it seemed fitting because, well... organic life be screwed and all.... *doom*.

Alan wake is excellent as well, nice choice.

I'm currently playing Final Fantasy 7, I figured I've owned it since day one in 1997, but have only recently opened the plastic and played it. It's been on my 'to play' list longer than any other game, 17 years in fact! So far I'm 26 hours in, still on the first disc, I like it, it's quite dated, and going back to 320x240 resolution and badly mangled engrish translation is a little jarring, it's battle system and overall theme makes up for it.

Finished Alan Wake plus the two DLC episodes a while ago. A solid game. It has an interesting mechanic that has you holding a flashlight at your targets to remove their shadow armour (for lack of a better term) before you can take them down. Surprisingly, I most enjoyed the final DLC episode purely for its level design. By that point, the world you inhabit is pretty messed up, allowing the designers to do pretty much anything.

After that, I played season one of The Walking Dead. Really really enjoyed it. Very heavy on story and character development, which I love. I can't recommend it enough, and will definitely be playing season two when all five episodes are released.

Just yesterday, I finished Spec Ops: The Line, and was pretty disappointed. It was touted on having this dark, edgy story (for a shooter), but it mostly fell flat because I didn't give a damn about any of the characters. It had a lot of potential, but missed the mark. Luckily I didn't waste much time on it as the campaign only lasted five hours. I can't imagine how ripped off people must've felt buying that game brand new at $60. (Yay for Steam sales)

Right now, I'm playing two different co-op games with two different people.

Just got my first desktop in several years so I've definitely been playing some games lately.

Unreal Tournament 3: Not as good as UT2K4 but still an excellent shooter.

Richard Burns Rally: Best physics in a rally game for sure. Haven't got too far into it yet due to my 3rd party X360 controller giving me serious problems. Great game so far though.

Assetto Corsa: Another game I'd be playing more if my controller were working properly. It's not even finished and it's already awesome. Best car physics in any racing game I've played, and I've barely even played it.

Raiden Legacy: If you like shmups, you have to play this.

Rainbow Six 3: This runs a lot better now than it did on my old laptop.

Oddly - I'm currently not playing any games - gotten bored with all of the ones on my ipad (in general ipad games don't last long for me).

No time to dust off the ps3. Although Broken Harbour told me final fantasy 7 is in the psn store. I've still never OPENED Skyrim - and those games are historically my all time favorite biggest time suck games ever. Which ... is why I haven't opened it. Sure glad I bought it. cough.

My backlog is now over 40 games long... obviously never going to play them all....

I recently wrapped Final Fantasy 7, which was great, I can see how it melted faces back in 1997.

Not sure what's next on the list. It's hotter than Satan's blast furnace in my studio right now, so I guess I have on more month before it becomes fall and cools down enough to work in there. Might do some Super Mario Galaxy 2, or maybe the FFX/X-2 remaster.... hmmmm.....

WolfenStein: The New Order, which has a really weak opening but when it wears it's influences on its sleeve, it is actually really good: Half Life 2 and Riddick, Escape from Butcher Bay (on which many from machinegames worked) come to mind.

Alien: Isolation is also very enjoyable, even if it's tense. Great sound-design also, really brings the environment to life.

My son and the neighborhood kids and I are playing Clash of Clans now and really enjoying it. It is a mobile game in the spirit of farm for resources, build an army and defense, and do battle with others. Free to play, but has some in-app ways to spend money to speed things up (not really worth it unless you're hardcore).

Recently finished Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and had a blast. The combat is fluid and doesn't get boring. The banter between the orcs (technically uruks) is hilarious. Before a captain engages you in combat, everything stops for a moment and they belt out a nasty quip. Oh man, it puts a stupid grin on my face every time.

On the multiplayer front, I've been having tons of fun with Payday 2. It's odd because it's kind of a grind, which normally turns me off very quickly, but for reasons I can't put my finger on, I keep coming back for more. It's not entirely serious, certainly larger than life, so I think I enjoy the ridiculousness of it all.

I took advantage of the Steam sales over the holidays, refilling my queue. Some games on the horizon, probably played in this order:- The Walking Dead: Season Two- Alien Isolation- Dragon Age: Inquisition- Banished- The Banner Saga- Dark Souls II

After a gaming drought, I'm getting back into space sims with Elite:Dangerous. Finally bought a new joystick so hopefully, I won't bounce off the landing pads trying to control a ship with a mouse and keyboard.

I keep meaning to get back into Guild Wars 2, especially since the first official expansion, Heart of Thorns, was announced this weekend. The new lands of Maguuma look interesting. Not much else interesting to me, although I may pick up Wasteland 2 and get my Fallout 2-style post-nuclear RPG on.

After a gaming drought, I'm getting back into space sims with Elite:Dangerous. Finally bought a new joystick so hopefully, I won't bounce off the landing pads trying to control a ship with a mouse and keyboard.

I keep meaning to get back into Guild Wars 2, especially since the first official expansion, Heart of Thorns, was announced this weekend. The new lands of Maguuma look interesting. Not much else interesting to me, although I may pick up Wasteland 2 and get my Fallout 2-style post-nuclear RPG on.

Get back into GW2 and look me up lol. I spend waaaaaaay too much time grinding out in SilverWastes. Looking forward to the expansion (finally!). Staff for Ranger, Greatsword for Necro! Guild Halls (again Finally!), etc...the new areas with the living story they open up are small but have a bunch of metas to do (which are tedious to beyond annoying - the coins for instance...have yet to find last 4 in Dry Top and a bunch over in SW area.... or the jumping puzzle there...).

As for console games, I got a bunch for PS3 I haven't played (or not in ages) and some for my Wii which I should revisit as one looked pretty cool (if I did buy it, have to search/rummage around for it...).